Standing parasol with articulately arranged canopy struts

ABSTRACT

A standing parasol has a parasol crown (2), on which a plurality of canopy struts (4) for an overlying canopy (6) are arranged in an articulated manner radiating about a parasol crown axis (A) and which are supported and connected by means of associated supporting struts (8) via a respective hinge (10). Each hinge (10) comprises a hinge ball (12) connected to the canopy strut (4) which is received in an associated hinge socket (14) terminally arranged on the support strut (8). The hinge socket (14) comprises a socket slot (16) which allows pivoting of the support strut (8) in a predetermined pivoting angle range in an associated pivoting plane.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from German patent application No.DE202022103177.0, filed Jun. 3, 2022, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to a standing parasol with a parasol crown, onwhich a plurality of canopy struts for an overlying canopy are arrangedin an articulated manner radiating about a parasol crown axis and whichare supported and connected by means of associated supporting struts viaa respective hinge.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Standing parasols of the type mentioned above are known in variousmodels. Such standing parasols comprise a parasol crown or the like, towhich a plurality of canopy struts for an overlying canopy are arrangedin an articulated manner, which struts are mutually connected byassociated supporting struts via a respective hinge.

For example, EP 1858362 B1 shows a free arm parasol with a mast and anarm arranged thereon, at the end of which facing away from the mast,there is arranged a parasol with a parasol pole. The parasol comprises aslider, which is articulately connected to the canopy struts viasupporting struts, which in turn are hinged to a crown connected to theparasol pole. For opening and closing the parasol, the distance betweenthe crown and the slider is changed by means of an actuating organ,whereby the angle between the canopy struts and the associatedsupporting struts is also changed.

In the previously known parasols, the required pivotability between thecanopy strut and the supporting strut is accomplished by a hinge-likeconstruction with a pivot axis that is perpendicular to the planedefined by the canopy strut and the supporting strut.

However, disadvantages of the known parasols systems consist in thefollowing undesirable effects:

-   -   occurrence of fabric damages on the canopy due to edgy parts of        the canopy struts,    -   formation of stains on the parasol cover or on linking parts due        to corroding metal abrasion,    -   risk of fabric damage due to scissor effects,    -   risk of injuries due to scissor effects.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is thus to propose an improved standingparasol which is capable of overcoming the disadvantages of the priorart.

The standing parasol according to the present invention comprises aparasol crown, to which a plurality of canopy struts for an overlyingcanopy are arranged in an articulated manner radiating about a parasolcrown and which are supported and connected by means of associatedsupporting struts via a respective hinge. Due to the fact that eachhinge comprises a hinge ball connected to the canopy strut which isreceived in an associated hinge socket terminally arranged on thesupport strut, wherein the hinge socket comprises a socket slot whichallows pivoting of the support strut in a predetermined pivoting anglerange in an associated pivoting plane, at least the disadvantagesmentioned above are avoided.

The term “standing parasol” is to be understood in the broadest sense,but includes in particular various types of mast-supported devices, inparticular for outdoor use.

Particularly in the case of larger and heavier standing parasols,considerable forces can occur in the connection region between canopystrut and supporting strut. Accordingly, the canopy strut of anadvantageous embodiment comprises a reinforcement piece for connectionto the hinge ball.

In principle, various embodiments are possible for the hinge socketarranged at the end of the supporting strut. However, it is particularlyadvantageous, if the hinge socket is formed by a hollow body and a plugpart.

According to an advantageous embodiment, the hinge socket is connectedto the supporting strut by means of a cross bolt or an adhesive mass. Inparticular, this makes it possible to realize a component that is formedfrom a hinge socket and a hinge ball mounted therein, which can beeasily assembled and disassembled.

In principle, supporting struts with a variety of cross-sectionalprofiles can be provided. However, it is advantageous, if the supportingstrut is configured as a hollow profile. Preferably, the hinge socket isdimensioned in such manner that it can be inserted snugly into one endof the hollow profile.

In principle, the hinge ball can be connected to the associated canopystrut in various ways. In particular, it can be riveted to the canopystrut. According to a particularly advantageous embodiment, the hingeball is provided with a threaded pin which is screwable into anassociated inner thread on the roof strut and an opposing engagingopening for a screwing tool, for example for a hexagonal key or for ascrewdriver.

The aforementioned elements as well as those claimed and described inthe following exemplary embodiments, to be used according to theinvention, are not subject to any particular conditions by way ofexclusion in terms of their size, shape, use of material and technicaldesign, with the result that the selection criteria known in therespective field of application can be used without restrictions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further details, advantages and features of the object of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following description and thecorresponding drawings, in which the system according to the presentinvention is illustrated by way of example. In the drawings, there areshown in:

FIG. 1 a section of a generally known standing parasol, in anelevational view;

FIG. 2 a section of a connection region of a canopy strut and asupporting strut designed according to the invention, in a longitudinalsectional view;

FIG. 3 a hinge socket with an inserted hinge ball, in a perspectiveview; and

FIG. 4 the hinge socket of FIG. 3 , in an exploded view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The section of a basically known standing parasol shown in FIG. 1comprises a parasol crown 2, a canopy strut 4 hinged thereto and acanopy 6 located there above. The latter is appropriately attached tothe parasol structure by attaching means not shown here. The canopystrut 4 is connected via a corresponding hinge 10 to a first end 7 of anassociated supporting strut 8, which is articulately connected at itssecond end 9 with a slider 11.

As can be seen from FIG. 1 , the parasol crown 2 and slider 11 arearranged on a longitudinal member 13, which may in particular be aparasol mast or a parasol pole. By changing the distance between theparasol crown 2 and the slider 11, a change in the angle α between thecanopy strut 4 and the supporting strut 8 is effected in a known manner.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2 to 4 , the hinge 10 comprises a hinge ball12 connected to the canopy strut 4, which is received in an associatedhinge socket 14 terminally arranged on the supporting strut 8. The hingesocket 14 is provided with a socket slot 16, which defines an associatedpivoting plane, in which the supporting strut 8 can be pivoted in apredetermined pivoting angle. In the example shown, the range of thepivoting angle is approximately 180°, since the hinge ball can bepivoted from the downward-pointing orientation, shown in FIG. 3 , up toan upward-pointing orientation.

In the embodiment shown, the canopy strut 4 is configured as a hollowprofile. In order to avoid undesired deformations, a reinforcement piece18 is inserted in the canopy strut 4 in the area of the hinge 10.Moreover, the canopy strut 4 is provided with an additionalreinforcement element in the form of an insert 20.

In the example shown, the hinge socket 14 is formed in two parts by ahollow body 22 and a plug part 24 that can be inserted therein. As canbe seen in particular from FIGS. 3 and 4 , the hollow body 22 isprovided with socket slot 16 at a first end and is open at its secondend for receiving the associated plug portion 24. As can be seen fromFIG. 4 , the hollow body 22 is dimensioned in such manner that anassociated hinge ball 12 can be inserted until it reaches the socketslot 16 and is then held in place by inserting the plug portion 24.

Furthermore, in the example shown, the supporting strut 8 is configuredas a hollow profile, wherein the hinge socket 14 inserted therein,namely the hollow body 22 including the inserted plug portion 24, isconnected to the supporting strut 8 by means of a cross bolt 26.

In the example shown, the hinge ball 12 is provided with a threaded pin30 which is screwable into an associated inner thread 28 on the roofstrut 4, and it is further provided with an opposing engaging opening32, for example an internal hexagonal profile, for a correspondingscrewing tool. In the example shown, the inner thread 28 is formed intothe reinforcement piece 18. Between the threaded pin 30 and the hingeball 12 there is provided a cylindrical pin portion 34, which cooperateswith the socket slot 16 and allows a laterally guided pivoting movementof the hinge ball.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   -   2 parasol crown    -   4 canopy strut    -   6 canopy    -   7 first end of 8    -   8 supporting strut    -   9 second end of 8    -   10 hinge    -   11 slider    -   12 hinge ball    -   13 longitudinal member    -   14 hinge socket    -   16 socket slot    -   18 reinforcement piece of 4    -   20 insert of 4    -   22 hollow bodies out of 14    -   24 plug portion of 14    -   26 cross bolt    -   28 inner thread    -   30 threaded pin    -   32 engaging opening    -   35 cylindrical pin portion    -   A axis of the parasol crown

1. A standing parasol with a parasol crown, on which a plurality ofcanopy struts for an overlying canopy are arranged in an articulatedmanner radiating about a parasol crown axis and which are supported andconnected by means of associated supporting struts via a respectivehinge, characterized in that each hinge comprises a hinge ball connectedto the canopy strut which is received in an associated hinge socketterminally arranged on the support strut, wherein the hinge socketcomprises a socket slot which allows pivoting of the support strut in apredetermined pivoting angle range in an associated pivoting plane. 2.The standing parasol according to claim 1, characterized in that thecanopy strut comprises a reinforcement piece for connection to the hingeball.
 3. The standing parasol according to claim 1, characterized inthat the canopy strut is provided with additional reinforcing elementsin the form of inserts or ribs.
 4. The standing parasol according toclaim 1, characterized in that the hinge socket is formed by a hollowbody and a plug part.
 5. The standing parasol according to claim 4,characterized in that the hinge socket is connected to the supportingstrut by means of a cross bolt or an adhesive mass.
 6. The standingparasol according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting strutis configured as a hollow profile.
 7. The standing parasol according toclaim 6, characterized in that the hinge ball is provided with athreaded pin which is screwable into an associated inner thread on theroof strut and an opposing engaging opening for a screwing tool.
 8. Thestanding parasol according to claim 2, characterized in that the canopystrut is provided with additional reinforcing elements in the form ofinserts or ribs.
 9. The standing parasol according to claim 2,characterized in that the hinge socket is formed by a hollow body and aplug part.
 10. The standing parasol according to claim 9, characterizedin that the hinge socket is connected to the supporting strut by meansof a cross bolt or an adhesive mass.
 11. The standing parasol accordingto claim 3, characterized in that the hinge socket is formed by a hollowbody and a plug part.
 12. The standing parasol according to claim 11,characterized in that the hinge socket is connected to the supportingstrut by means of a cross bolt or an adhesive mass.
 13. The standingparasol according to claim 2, characterized in that the supporting strutis configured as a hollow profile.
 14. The standing parasol according toclaim 3, characterized in that the supporting strut is configured as ahollow profile.
 15. The standing parasol according to claim 4,characterized in that the supporting strut is configured as a hollowprofile.
 16. The standing parasol according to claim 5, characterized inthat the supporting strut is configured as a hollow profile.
 17. Thestanding parasol according to claim 13, characterized in that the hingeball is provided with a threaded pin which is screwable into anassociated inner thread on the roof strut and an opposing engagingopening for a screwing tool.
 18. The standing parasol according to claim14, characterized in that the hinge ball is provided with a threaded pinwhich is screwable into an associated inner thread on the roof strut andan opposing engaging opening for a screwing tool.
 19. The standingparasol according to claim 15, characterized in that the hinge ball isprovided with a threaded pin which is screwable into an associated innerthread on the roof strut and an opposing engaging opening for a screwingtool.
 20. The standing parasol according to claim 16, characterized inthat the hinge ball is provided with a threaded pin which is screwableinto an associated inner thread on the roof strut and an opposingengaging opening for a screwing tool.